Dispensing apparatus for stacked articles provided with means to strip the end article from the stack



Jan. 10, 1967 D. E. BURT 3,297,201

DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR STACKED ARTICLES PROVIDED WITH MEANS T0 STRIPTHE END ARTICLE FROM THE STACK Filed July 6, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR Donald EBZZF'ZE /VW%{M ATTORNEYS D. E. BURT Jan. 10, 1967DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR STACKED ARTICLES PROVIDED WITH MEANS 1'0 STRIPTHE END ARTICLE FROM THE STACK 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 6, 1965INVENTOR Donald E. Barf THE STACK 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 D. E. BURT DISPENSINGAPPARATUS FOR STACKED ARTICLES PROVIDED WITH MEANS TD STRIP THE ENDARTICLE FROM Jan. 10, 1967 Filed July 6, 1965 f w w M M W INVENTORDonald E B w Z 7Wg ATTORNEYS D. E. BURT Jan. 10, 1967 DISPENSINGAPPARATUS FOR STACKED ARTICLES PROVIDED WITH MEANS TO STRIP THE ENDARTICLE FROM THE STACK Filed July 6, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INTORDOFQZCZE. B 117% ATTORNEYS Jan. 10, 1967 o. E. BURT 3,297,201

DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR STACKED ARTICLES PROVIDED WITH MEANS TO STRIPTHE END ARTICLE FROM THE STACK Filed July 6, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 \l 2a) 11.. J 5 M9 0 a m Q \\l) 5 MINI: q JEV-NL N M u \\l@ M: 1 w 1 H |l\II l I I i I l I I 8 W l \I liifllll 6%. M 0 x g 4 5; 5 5 6 n. A I r I 0w j DOJiaZd l Bari? iw ATTORNEYS 3,297,201 DISPENSING APPARATUS FORSTACKED ARTICLES PROVIDED THE STACK 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Jan. 10, 1967 n. E.BURT WITH mums TO STRIP THE END ARTICLE FROM Filed July 6. 1965/////w/////o/j nk fl WARM hr! ||I| DoziccZdEB ari- M m m 1/ d figllllrllll i m m. 1 w/ 3,297,201 DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR STACKEDARTICLES PROVIDED WITH MEANS TO STRIP THE END ARTICLE FROM THE STACKFiled July 6, 1965 D. E. BURT 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Jan. 10, 1967 INVENTOR D0naidfl B ZZT'Z %M ATTORNEYS II ||l|l|l|||lllllill llllllllIl W V V.

United States Patent DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR STACKED ARTI- CLESPROVTDED WITH MEANS T0 STRIP THE END ARTICLE FROM THE STACK Donald E.Burt, Boston, Mass, assignor to Keyes Fibre Company, Water-ville, Maine,a corporation of Maine Filed July 6, 1965, Ser. No. 469,532 11 Claims.(Cl. 221-221) This invention relates to apparatus for dispensingarticles from a stack, and more particularly to an arrangement fordispensing molded pulp cartons singly from a stack with an improvedsequence of motion which minimizes jamming.

Prior to the present invention, many machines have been proposed fordispensing articles singly from a stack, but the prior machinesencounter certain problems and none have been found completelysatisfactory for certain kinds of articles. For example, with moldedpulp articles of the type having dished portions adapted for nestedstacking as well as opposed edge portions, especially when the opposededge portions include outwardly directed peripheral flange portions attheir upper extremity, the dispensing apparatus heretofore available hasbeen marked by a tendency to mutilate or tear the cartons in a highlyunsatisfactory manner which promotes jamming of the apparatus. Suchjamming requires shut-down of the machine while personnel is utilized toclear the torn articles from the machine before operations may commenceonce again. Obviously, this is undesirable not only from the standpointof wasted time but also when the expense of the many mutilated cartonsis taken into consideration.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providedispensing machinery adapted to handle a wide range of articles andparticularly molded pulp articles which tear or rip relatively easilycompared with plastic or other articles, and which are adapted fornested stacking wherein the adjacent side walls of stacked articlesfrictionally adhere to each other because of the roughened surface ofthe molded pulp. Because of the tendency to cling together when nestedin a stack, and the propensity of molded pulp to tear when acted upon bysmall, high speed mechanical finger elements of dispensing machinery,the problem of avoiding mishaps during continued automatic operation ofsuch machinery is great. To this end, the dispenser arrangement of thisinvention includes mechanical finger elements designed to handle aparticular exemplary type of molded pulp carton in a manner whichminimizes tearing by affording contact with the maximum available areaof the laterally extending flange portions of the carton. In additionthe sequence of operation of the various mechanical finger elements isarranged to provide an improved sequence of operation which minimizesjam-ups even when the flange portions of cartons are inadvertently torn.Not only is the improved sequence of operation desirable when cartonsare torn by the machinery itself, but occasionally misformed cartons arepresent in stacks of such articles, and the apparatus of this inventionis designed to compensate for such irregular articles and dispenses themproperly in sequence along with the properly formed cartons.

Other object and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from a reading of the following description in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters refer tosimilar parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the dispensing apparatus of thisinvention including a small stack of cartons;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the dispensing apparatus with thestack of cartons removed;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of the lost motion slidearrangement;

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevational view on line 77 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 showing a diflerent portionof the sequence of operation;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 showing a different portionof the sequence of operation;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 showing a differentportion of the sequence of operation;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 showing a difierentportion of the sequence of operation;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 showing a diiterentportion of the sequence of operation; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 showing the dispensingapparatus of this invention compensating for a mutilated carton in thestack.

Referring in more particularity to the drawings, the dispensingapparatus of this invention is illustrated for purposes of clarity asoperating on one particular type of article having dished portionsadapted for nested stacking. Such articles 10 comprise 2 X 6 molded pulpegg cartons of a variety finding increasing commercial popularity butpresenting unusual dispensing or de-nesting problems.

Each carton 10 comprises a pair of opposed edge portions 12 taking theform of sides of an elongated rectangle and a pair of opposed edgeportions 14 taking the form of ends of the elongated rectangle. The sideedge portions 12 and the end edge portions 14 are each characterized inpart by indentations or partial post formations 16 at spaced intervals.The marginal partial posts 16 define article receiving pockets 18 whichare further defined by 'full posts 21? positioned centrally of thecarton and separating ribs 22 connecting the partial posts and the fullposts with each other, all as is Well-known. The partial posts 16positioned along the opposed side edge portions 12 and the opposed endedge portions 14 include outwardly directed flanges 24 at the upperportions thereof. Additionally, thickened shoulder portions 17associated with the partial posts 16 determine the depth to which onecarton 10 may nest in its adjacently positioned carton in a stack.

It will be noted that the side and end edge walls as Well as the ribswhich define the deeply dished pocket portions of the illustrated cartonhave high, relatively steep walls. When such cartons are formed ofmolded pulp it is clear that the roughened surface of at least one sideof the steep pulp walls causes frictional adherence of one carton to theadjacent carton when a plurality of such cartons are pressed together ina nested stack. The separation or removal of the end carton from thestack requires considerable force to overcome the frictional resistance.Additionally, the outwardly directed flange portions 24 at the top ofthe partial posts 16 present only minimal areas of molded pulp uponwhich the mechanical finger arrangements of an automatic dispensingmachine may operate. These small flange areas, while convenientlypositioned for engagement by automatic finger mechanisms, are subject tomutilation by the rapidly acting fingers, and are occasionally receivedin mutilated condition from the molded pulp manufacturer. In thedrawings, the cartons 10 are arranged in a nested stack. Forconvenience, the lowermost or end article to be removed from the stackis identified by the numeral 10, the second or new end article in thestack is indicated by the numeral 10", and the third article in thestack by the numeral 10. Also, for purposes of convenience, the stackmay be visualized as an elongated stack having a longitudinal 3 axiswhich corresponds with the initial direction of article separation orde-nesting.

The dispensing apparatus 30 of this invention comprises an arrangementfor dispensing articles such as cartons of the above described type froma stack of such articles, and further comprises means 32 for holding astack of such articles generally uniformly nested with their oppositeedge portions 12, 14 in generally straight alignment. The stack holdingmeans 32 includes a vertically arranged chute having a rear wall 34, andside walls 36 which extend upwardly a sufiicient distance to accommodatea large supply of nested articles. In some commercial applications, thesupply of articles may constitute a stack which extends verticallyupwards for a number of feet and even may extend to the floor above in,for instance, a large egg packaging plant which permits loading of thechute with fresh stacked cartons from the floor above. The Weight ofsuch a high stack of articles is considerable, especially when it isconsidered that the operator who fills the chute pushes down on thestack with considerable force to insure the deepest possible nestingwhich permits the largest number of articles to be included in a stackof given height. Not only does the dispensing arrangement which operatesat the bottom of the stack have to accommodate these large verticallydownward forces, but must work equally Well with a small, light stack ofarticles in the holding means 32.

If desired, the stack holding means 32 may be angled rearwardly slightlyto relieve a portion of the' Weight of the stack from the automaticfingers of the dispensing mechanism. When this feature is utilized, itis not necessary to include a front wall to the holding means 32 otherthan a short front wall arrangement 38 near the lower portion of theholding means. This affords visibility to determine the height of astack of cartons in the machine, and permits front loading of freshcartons by an operator standing on the floor by the machine.

Additionally, a first limit switch 40 including a trip member 42 may beprovided in the rear wall 34 of the holding means 32 to give anappropriate signal when the stack is depleted to a predetermined pointso that a fresh supply of cartons may be placed in the holding means.Additionally, a second limit switch 44 including a trigger arrangement46 may be provided to halt operation of the continuously actingautomatic dispensing machine if, for some reason, the stack of cartonsis depleted beyond a certain minimal point. This will prevent thedispensing arrangement of this invention from continuing to operate whenno cartons are present. The dispensing means includes two units 48 and50 which may be mirror image duplicates of each other. For convenience,the following description will be directed to one of the units 50, andit will be understood that the other unit 48 operates in similarfashion. The two units cooperate, in the illustrated embodiment, withthe opposed end edge portions 14 of the cartons in the stack to removearticles singly from one end of the stack in the holding means.

The dispensing unit 50 includes stripping finger means 52 mounted forto-and-fro longitudinal travel relative to the stack as well as forin-and-out lateral shifting to engage or avoid the end article 10' to beremoved from the stack. The stripping finger means 52 is adapted toengage the upper portion of the end wall 14 of the lowermost carton 10'in the zone between the partial posts 24. As shown in the drawings, thestripping finger means 52 includes an L-shaped upper portion which isadapted to hook over the upper edge of the carton end wall.

The stripping finger means 52 is mounted for in-and- Jut lateralshifting by means of an extension arm portion 54 pivotally mounted'as at56 on a longitudinally shiftable ;npport member 58. The support 58includes a shaft 60 which is fixed by a pin 62 to provide the pivot axisfor :he extension arm 54 of the stripping finger means 52. A :oiledtorsion spring 64 secured at one end to the member 58 and at the otherend to the arm 54 constitutes a yieldible biasing means normally tendingto shift the stripping finger means 52 to the inward extent of itslateral motion. The inward extent of lateral motion is governed by astop arrangement 66 which operates between the stripping fingerextension arm 54 and the fixed shaft 60. The outward extent of lateralshifting of the stripping finger means 52 is governed by a cam follower68 integrally associated with the finger arm 54 on the opposite side ofthe pivot fulcrum 60. The cam follower 68 is adapted to ride on a camsurface, explained below, to control laterally outward shifting motionof the stripping finger means. Additionally, a spring-loaded ball detentarrangement 70 operating between the stripping finger arm extension 54and the fixed shaft 60 is adapted to maintain the stripping finger means52 at the outward extent of itslateral motion for a purpose describedbelow.

The dispensing unit 50 further includes a first stack retaining means 72mounted for in-and-out lateral shifting relative to the stack to engageor release the balance of the stack. The first stack retaining meansincludes a horizontal member 74 including a plurality of projections 76adapted to engage beneath the outwardly directed flange portions 24 ofthe second carton 10 in the stack. The horizontal member 74 is connectedby lever arm arrangements 78 to a fixed pivot point 80 on the front wall38 of the stack holding means. A coil tension spring 82 fixed at one endto the front wall 38 and at the other end to the arm 78 serves tomotivate the first stack retaining means 72 to the outward extent of itslateral shifting motion. A cam following surface 84 adapted to ride on ashiftable cam element, explained below, motivates the inward lateralshifting of the first stack retaining means. Additionally, thehorizontal member 74 includes a pair of down-turned abutment cars 86adapted to contact the stripping finger means 52 during inward lateralmotion of the first stack retaining means to dislodge the springloadeddetent restraining means 70 which maintains the stripping finger meansat the outward extent of its lateral shifting motion. This permits thetorsion spring 64 to pivot the stripping finger means 52 to the inwardextent of its lateral motion for engagement with the upper rim of thefirst carton 10' in the stack.

The horizontal member 74 of the first stack retaining means, in additionto the three laterally inwardly projecting elements 76, may furtherinclude one or more sharpened prong elements 88 adapted to pierce theupper portion of the carton end Wall 14 to assist in supporting thebalance of a stack while the end article is being removed from thestack. While the prong elements 88 are optional, it has been found thatwith cartons formed of molded pulp having certain characteristics, theprong elements will help to increase the effect of the finger elements76 which engage only the small outwardly directed flange portions of thecarton.

A second stack retaining means 90 is mounted for inand-out laterallyshifting to engage or release the dished or pocket portion 18 of the endarticle 10' of the stack. The second stack retaining means 90 is mountedfor pivotal motion about a trunnion 92 secured in the means for holdingthe stack. A pair of coiled torsion springs 94 are connected at one endwith the framework and at the other end with the extension arm portions96 of the second stack retaining means. The spring 94 normally biasesthe second stack retaining means to the inward extent of its lateralmovement. As can benoted particularly from FIGS. 4 and 5, the extensionarm portions 96 of the second stack retaining means 90 each include acut-out notch portion 100 which forms a portion of an arrangement forrendering a one-way drive engagement, explained below, ineflectual at apredetermined point in the cycle of operation. The upper surfaces of theextension arm portions 96 in the zone immediately laterally outwardly ofthe cut-out notch portions 100 serve as cam or abutment surfaces for theone-way drive connection, again as explained in more detail below.

Additionally, means is provided to latch the second stack retainingmeans at the inward extent of its lateral motion to enable it to supportthe downwardly directed forces associated with loading and storage ofextremely high stacks of articles. a catch head 102 on the upper end ofa lever arm 104 pivoted at 106 to the framework of the machine. A coiltorsion spring 108 having one end secured to the frame and the other endacting upon the arm 104 normally biases the catch head 102 laterallyinwardly to engage a catch element 110 which extends outwardly beyondthe pivot 92 of the extension arm 96 for the second stack retainingmeans. As viewed, for instance, in FIG. 8,

it will be clear that latching of the catch head 102 over the catchelement 110 prevents downward swinging or lateral outward shifting ofthe second stack retaining means 90, and thus constitutes a mechanicallyrigid arrangernent for supporting the full downwardly directed forces ofloading and storage of extremely high stacks of articles. Additionally,the extension arm 104 for the catch head 102 includes a cam followingsurface 112 which follows a reciprocating cam, described below, forunlatching the catch head 102 from above the catch element 110 to permitlaterally outward cam motivated motion of the second stack retainingmeans 90.

Mechanical means are connected to operate through a cycle of motionwhich moves the above described finger elements through a dispensingcycle. First, the pivot shaft 60 secured to the element 58 is mountedfor to-andfro longitudinal motion relative to the stack, as noted above.The element 58 is formed as a unitary portion of a slide block 114mounted for reciprocal sliding motion in a pair of guide ways 116 formedin opposed guide blocks 118 secured as at 120 to the frame portion ofthe dispensing unit 50. The guide ways 116 of each guide block 118include an abutment shoulder 122 at the lower extremity thereof. Theseshoulders, as explained below, prevent gravity actuated motion of theslide element 114 longitudinally outwardly of the unit 50.

Each guide block 118 further includes a spring-loaded ball detentarrangement 124 adapted to engage a cooperating indentation in the sidewalls of the slide block 114. This spring-loaded arrangement serves tomaintain the slide block 114 at the inward or upward extent of itslongitudinal shifting motion relative to the guide blocks 118. The uppersurface 126 of the slide block 114 serves as an abutment surface forcooperative engagement with a second abutment for dislodging the slideblock 114 from its upward or longitudinally inward position asdetermined by the detent arrangement 124 to permit toand-frolongitudinal sliding of the block within the guide ways 116. The lowersurface 128 of the guide block 126 also serves as an abutment surfacefor cooperative engagement with another abutment arrangement forreturning the slide block 114 longitudinally inwardly or upwardly untilthe detent arrangement 124 secures it relative to the guide way 116.Finally, the slide block 114 includes a longitudinally directed slidegroove 130 on its laterally outward face to slidably receive amotivating cam bar 132.

The cam bar 132 is positioned longitudinally parallel with the axis ofthe stack of articles. The bar 132 is positioned to ride with a looseworking fit in the rear face of the groove 130 of the slide block 114.At the lowermost extremity of the cam bar 132, a T-shaped abutment head134 is secured as at 136 to abut against the lower surface 128 of theslide block 114. Positioned above the slide block 114 at the mid-portionof the cam bar 132 is a second fixed abutment element 138 adapted toengage the upper surface 126 of the slide block 114. The abut-mentportions 134 and 138 of the cam bar are spaced a distance from eachother which is greaterthan the longitudinal dimension of the guide block114 to constitute a lost motion connection between the cam bar 132 andthe fixed shaft 60 associated with the slide block 114.

The laterally inward face of the cam bar 132 is con- The latcharrangement comprises structed to define a cam surface 140 adapted toride in cooperative engagement with the cam follower surface 84 of thecross head 74 for the first stack retaining means. As can be seen, theangled cam face 140 is positioned to move the first stack retainingmeans 72 laterally inwardly against the restraining pressure of thespring 82 upon downward longitudinal motion of the cam bar 132.

Another cam surface 142 positioned at the lower or longitudinallyoutward extent of the cam bar 132 is provided on the laterally outwardside thereof to engage the cam follower surface 112 which governs theunlatching motion of the catch head 102 from above the catch element110. Downward motion of the cam bar 132 thus serves to unlatch the catchhead 102 and permit outward lateral motion of the second stack retainingmeans 90.

A cam arrangement for shifting the second stack retaining meanslaterally outwardly is controlled by downward motion of the cam bar 132and comprises a pair of one-way drive devices 144. Each device 144comprises a pusher dog arrangement pivoted at 146 to the outer ends ofthe fixed shaft 60 about which the stripping finger means is pivoted.Each trip device 144 is loaded by an appropriate spring 148 to itsoutward, operative position where it bears on the upper surface 96 ofthe extension arm portion of the second stack retaining means 90. As canbe seen from FIGS. 10 and 1l13, downward motion of the slide block 114generates outward longitudinal motion of the trip dogs 144 against theupper surface of the extension arm portion 96 of the second stackretaining means to swing the second stack retaining means laterallyoutwardly about its pivot 92. As the oneway drive elements 144 ride downthe upper surface of the second stack retaining means as it movesoutwardly, the elements 144 come into registry with the cut-out notchportions of the second stack retaining means At this point, the torsionspring 94 for the second stack retaining means generates inward lateralmotion of the second stack retaining means because the notch portions100 permit thestack retaining means to swing inwardly past the one-waydrive elements 144. Thus, the cut-out notch portions 100 render theone-way drive ineffectual as the stripping finger pivot shaft 60 reachesits outward extent of longitudinal shifting. Thereafter, it will benoted that, as the shaft 60 and its associated one-way drive elements144 return to the inward extent of their longitudinal motion, theelements 144 pivot inwardly to by-pass the arm extension portions 96 ofthe second stack retaining means 90 which has already been spring-biasedto its inner position Finally, a fixed cam surface 150 is positioned tobe engaged by the cam follower portion 68 of the arm extension portion54 of the stripping finger means 52. As the stripping finger means 52 iscarried longitudinally outward by motion of the slide block 114 and itsasso ciated pivot shaft 60, the cam follower 68 riding against theoutwardly directed cam face 150 rotates the arm extension portion 54 toshift the stripping finger means 52 to the outward extent of'its lateralshifting. Additionally, it will be noted that the cooperating camelements 68, 150 rotate the arm extension portion 54 to and evenslightly past the point where the spring-loaded detent arrangement 70becomes effective to maintain the stripping finger means 52 at theoutward extent of its lateral motion.

Motivating means is connected to drive the operating cam bar 132 with areciprocatory motion to initiate repetitive cycles of coordinated motionof the various finger elements. The cam bar 132 for the dispenser unit50 is secured at its upper end as at 152 to a lever arm 154 which isfulcrumed at 156 to the frame of the dispensing apparatus. The outer orupper end 158 of the lever arm 154 is connected to the outer end of thereciprocatory rod portion 160 of a motor device 162, also pivotallysecured as at 164 to the frame of the machine.

Although any suitable reciprocating motor may be utilized to drive thecam bars 132 of the dispensing arrangement of this invention, thepreferred form illustrated in the drawing utilizes a polynoid motorwhich is capable of the desired control. Namely, the commerciallyavailable polynoids are capable of speed regulation, which is importantfor rendering the dispensing arrangement of this invention compatiblewith the speed requirements of existing production line equipment.

In operation, the dispensing arrangement of this invention operatesthrough a predetermined cycle of motion to dispense cartons 10 seriatimfrom the lower or longitudinally outward end of a stack of sucharticles. With a stack'of such articles positioned in the holding means32, and with the cam bar 132 at its upward or inward extent oflongitudinal travel positioning the various operating elements asillustrated in FIG. 7, a dispensing cycle is ready to begin.

First, downward shifting of the rod portion 160 of the polynoidmotivating device 162 generates downward or longitudinal outward motionof the cam bar 132. The initial motion of the cam bar causes the camsurface 140 to act upon the cam follower surface 84 associated with thefirst stack retaining means. Continued longitudinal outward motion ofthe cam surface 140 shifts the first'stack retaining means laterallyinwardly until it is engaged beneath the outwardly directed flangeportion 24 of the second carton 10" in the stack. At this point, as seenin FIG. 8, the depending abutment elements 86 associated with the firststack retaining means come into engagement with the outer end of the armextension portion 54 of the stripping finger means 52.

Continued longitudinally outward motion of the cam bar 132 continues tocam the first stack retaining means 72 laterally inwardly, and thismotion forces the springloaded detent 70 associated with the shippingfinger means to become disengaged. Disengagement of the detentarrangements 70 permits the coil torsion spring 64 to shift thestripping finger means 52 laterally inwardly, as seen in FIG. 9, untilit engages above the end wall 14 of the end article 10 in the stack.Thereafter, the cam surface 140 completes the inward lateral shifting ofthe first stack retaining means 72 until the prong elements 88 havepositively engaged with the end walls 14 of the second article 10" inthe stack.

Simultaneously, as the cam surface 140 completes the final increment ofinward lateral shifting of the first stack retaining means 72, the camsurface 142 at the outer end of the cam bar comes into engagement withthe cam surface 112' associated with the catch head 102 and rotatesitlaterally outwardly to disengage it from the catch element 110associated with the second stack retaining means. Although thisunlatches the second stack retaining element to permit it to be shiftedlaterally outwardly, and thus may render it ineffectual for resistingthe fullest extent of the downward or laterally outward forces which maybe associated with very tall stacks of articles in the machine, it willbe noted that the first stack retaining means 72 is at this timesecuring the balance of the stack against longitudinal outward motion.

Upon completion of this motion, as can be seen in FIG. 9, the abutmentelements 138 on the cam bar 132 are brought into driving engagement withthe upper surface [26 of the slide block 114. Further downward motion 3fthe cam bar 132 disengages the detents 124 to drive :he slide block 114longitudinally outwardly. This causes lownward motion of the fixed shaft60 which in turn notivates two functions simultaneously. First, theonevay drive elements 144 rotate the second stack retaining means 90laterally outward about the pivots 92. Because )f the very small momentarm involved, the stack retainng means 90 is swung outwardly with a veryrapid moion, to thus permit passage of the end articles 10' which to beseparated from the balance of the stack in the tolding means. It will benoted, incidentally, that the '8 cam bar abutment element 138 thusmotivates the slide block 114 against the upward bias of the spring 94associated with the second stack retaining means.

Second, the downward motion of the shaft 60 generates longitudinaloutward stripping motion of the stripping finger means 52. As can beseen in FIG. 10, the stripping finger means thus serves to strip the endarticle 10 from the balance of the stack, which in turn is retained bythe first stack retaining means 72.

As the slide block 114 nears the outer limit of its longitudinal travel,the cam follower 68 associated with the stripping finger means 52 ridesinto engagement wit-h the fixed cam surface 150. Further longitudinallyoutward motion thus serves to rotate the stripping finger means 52laterally outwardly. At this point, the carton being stripped from thestack has been pulled free of the remaining articles in the stack, andis free to fall to a conveyor, not shown, positioned therebelow. Theoutward lateral motion of the stripping finger means at this pointserves to insure that the stripping finger is disengaged from thearticle being dispensed if, by chance, the finger 52 had inadvertentlypunctured or otherwise become entangled with the molded pulp carton.

As the shaft 60 associated with the slide block 114 reaches the finalincrement of its longitudinally outward motion, the stripping fingermeans 52 is shifted laterally outwardly, as seen in FIG. 12, to thepoint where the detent arrangement 70 will maintain the strippingfinger. Additionally, at this point, the one-way drive elements 144 comeinto registry with the cut-out notch portions associated with the secondstack retaining means. As this happens, the torsion spring 94 serves torotate the second stack retaining means 90 laterally inwardly.Additionally, it will be noted that the lateral inward motion of thesecond stack retaining means includes a component of longitudinal inwardmotion. As explained below in connection with FIG. 13, the return motionof the second stack retaining means in this manner and at this period inthe operating cycle results in an extremely desirable function.

As the cam bar 132 thus reaches the terminus of its downwardreciprocation, as in FIG. 12, the first and the second stack retainingmeans are both at their inward extent of lateral shifting, and thestripping finger means is maintained by the detent arrangement 70 at theouter extent of its lateral shifting. Additionally, because of thereturn of the second stack retaining means as permitted by the cut-outnotch portions 100, the slide block 114 is no longer subject to thelongitudinal inward spring bias which had been generated by the torsionspring 94 associated with the second stack retaining means 90.

As the cam bar 132 begins its longitudinal inward or return motion, theoperating finger elements will remain in the position illustrated inFIG. 12 until the T-shaped abutment element 134 comes into engagementwith the lower abutment surface 128 of the slide block 114. This, itwill be noted, serves to shift the cam surface 140, which controls thefirst stack retaining means, upwardly relative to the stripping fingermeans 52 which is maintained at its outward extent of lateral motion.This insures that the down-turned abutment elements 86 associated withthe first stack retaining means will be able to shift laterallyoutwardly without interference from the stripping finger means.

Just before the T-shaped abutment 134 engages with slide block 114, itwill be noted, the receding cam surface 142 permits the catch head 102to be shifted by its spring 108 into latching engagement above the catchelement 110 to secure the second stack retaining means in its inward,operative position. Thereafter, as the cam bar 132 continues its returnmotion, the slide block 114 moves upwardly therewith. As the cam surfaceis retracted from behind the follower surface 84 associated with thefirst stack retaining means, the stack retaining means is permitted toshift laterally outwardly under the influence of its motivating spring82. As the cam bar 132 completes its final increment of return motion,the slide block 114 is elevated to its position in the slide way 116where the spring loaded detent arrangements 124 become operative. Thisinsures that the slide block 114 will remain in this position during thefollowing cycle until the downward motion of the cam bar brings theabutment elements 138 into engagement once again with the upper abutmentsurface 126 of the slide block. As the first stack retaining means 72 isshifted laterally outwardly to disengage from the balance of the stack,the balance of the stack is permitted to shift longitudinally outwardlyunder the influence of gravity until the new end article 10" in thestack comes into engagement with the securely latched second stackretaining means 90. The dished portion 18 of the new end article thusrests securely upon the second stack retaining means, and supports theentire stack until the next cycle of operation begins.

The advantage of the foregoing cycle of motion is illustrated inconnection with FIG. 13. In this figure, the elements are shown in theirrespective positions as the cam bar 132 approaches the outward extent ofits longitudinal motion. The second stack retaining means is beingsnapped by its spring 94 to the laterally inward position, the one-waydrive elements 144 having just cleared the cut-out notch portions 100.In FIG. 13, the new end article 10" is illustrated as a carton whereinthe outwardly directed flange portions 24 are mutilated to the extentthat one end of the carton is not retained properly by the first stackretaining means 72. As shown, although the end of the carton which isnot shown is properly retained by the first stack retaining means of thedispenser unit 48, the end of the carton 10" which is illustrated is notretained by the dispenser unit 50. This end of the carton has sagged orpivoted downwardly. If the various finger elements of the dispenser werereturned to their normal position in the same order of motion which theyfollowed during the first or dispensing half of the cycle, it is clearthat the stripping finger 52 would first be permitted to shift laterallyinwardly and would interfere with the loosely hanging end of the article10". Additionally, the second stack retaining means would remain in itsouter position over a longer period of time, thus increasing the chancesthat the free or loose end of the carton 10" would sag downwardly to thepoint where jamming of the machine would occur.

With the cycle of operation as contemplated by this invention, however,the second stack retaining means 90 is snapped upwardly and inwardlyimmediately after the previously dispensed carton has cleared themechanism. The spring 94 has suflicient power not only to return theretaining means 90 to its inner position, but also has sufficient powerto shift the loose, hanging end of the carton 10" back up to its properposition. Although the spring 94 may not have sufficient power to retainthe entire stack after the first stack retaining means is retracted, itdoes have sufficient power to insure that any torn or mutilated cartonsare properly positioned as end articles in the stack before the latchmechanism 102 secures the second stack retaining means in its inward,operational position.

Thus, a dispensing apparatus has been disclosed which affords animproved cycle of motion to insure proper dispensing of particular typesof molded pulp cartons. The improved cycle includes the several abovedescribed motions which contribute to the over-all efiect of a superiordispensing device.

While the above described embodiment constitutes the preferred mode ofpracticing this invention, other embodiments and equivalents may beresorted to within the scope of the actual invention, which is claimedas follows.

What is claimed is:

1. An arrangement for dispensing articles of the type having dishedportions adapted for nested stacking as well as opposed edge portionsfrom one end of a stack of such articles comprising means for holding astack of such articles generally uniformly nested with their edgeportions in generally straight alignment, dispensing means for removingarticles singly from one end of a stack in the holding means includingstripping finger means mounted for to and fro longitudinal travelrelative to the stack and in and out lateral shifting to engage or avoidthe end article to be removed from the stack, first stack retainingmeans mounted for in and out lateral shifting to engage or release thebalance of the stack, second stack retaining means mounted for in andout lateral shifting to engage or release the dished portion of the endarticle of the stack, mechanical means connected to operate through acycle of motion including initially shifting the first stack retainingmeans laterally in to engage the balance of the stack, shifting thestripping finger means laterally in to engage the end article to beremoved from the stack, shifting the second stack retaining meanslaterally out to release the dished portion of the end article to beremoved from the stack, generating longitudinal travel of the strippingfinger means from the stack to remove the end article from the balanceof the stack, shifting the stripping finger means laterally out toinsure release of the article removed from the stack, then immediatelyshifting the second stack retaining means laterally to its inwardposition for engaging the dished portion of a new end article of thestack, generating longitudinal travel of the stripping finger means backtoward the stack while maintaining it in its laterally outward positionto avoid the new end article in the stack, and finally shifting thefirst stack retaining means laterally out to release the balance of thestack and permit forward longitudinal shifting of the stack until thedished portion of the new end article engages the second stack retainingmeans to support the stack.

2. An arrangement for dispensing articles as in claim 1 wherein theopposed edge portions of the articles include outwardly directed flangesand wherein the first stack retaining means engages the outwardlydirected flanges of the neXt-to-the-end article in the stack to retainthe balance of the stack in the holding means. I

3. An arrangement for dispensing articles as in claim 1 wherein thesecond stack retaining means includes a component of longitudinal motiontoward the stack as it shifts to its inward position for engaging thedished portion of the new end article of the stack.

4. An arrangement for dispensing articles as in claim 3 wherein theinward lateral shifting of the second stack retaining means is motivatedby yieldable biasing means, and latch means is provided to lock thesecond stack retaining means in its inward position for engaging thedished portion of the end article of the stack to support the stack.

5. An arrangement for dispensing articles as in claim 3 wherein thelateral outward shifting of the first stack retaining means is motivatedby yieldable biasing means and the inward lateral shifting is motivatedby mechanical camming action.

6. An arrangement for dispensing articles as in claim 3 wherein theinward lateral shifting of the stripping finger means is motivated byyieldable biasing means, the outward lateral shifting is motivated bymechanical camming action, and a releasable detent arrangement isprovided to maintain the stripping finger means in its laterally outwardposition during its longitudinal travel back toward the stack.

7. An arrangement for dispensing articles as in claim 6 whereinmechanical abutment action releases the detent arrangement to permitinward lateral shifting of the stripping finger means to engage the endarticle to be removed from the stack.

8. An arrangement for dispensing articles as in claim 7 wherein themechanical abutment action includes a lug on the first stack retainingmeans positioned to abut the 1 1 stripping finger means during theinward lateral shifting of the first stack retaining means.

9. An arrangement for dispensing articles as in claim 3 wherein theoutward lateral shifting of the second stack retaining means ismotivated by mechanical camming action.

10. An arrangement for dispensing articles as in claim' 9 wherein themechanical camming action which motivates the lateral outward shiftingof the second stack retaining means includes a one-way pawl arrangementassociated with the stripping finger means for engagement with thesecond stack retaining means.

11. An arrangement for dispensing articles as in claim 10 wherein theone-way pawl engagement with the second stack retaining means isrendered ineffectual as the stripping finger means reaches the end ofits longitudinal travel from the stack to permit immediate-shifting ofthe second stack retaining means laterally to its inward position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS West et a1 221221ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner. WALTER SOBIN, Examiner.

1. AN ARRANGEMENT FOR DISPENSING ARTICLES OF THE TYPE HAVING DISHEDPORTIONS ADAPTED FOR NESTED STACKING AS WELL AS OPPOSED EDGE PORTIONSFROM ONE END OF A STACK OF SUCH ARTICLES COMPRISING MEANS FOR HOLDING ASTACK OF SUCH ARTICLES GENERALLY UNIFORMLY NESTED WITH THEIR EDGEPORTIONS IN GENERALLY STRAIGHT ALIGNMENT, DISPENSING MEANS FOR REMOVINGARTICLES SINGLY FROM ONE END OF A STACK IN THE HOLDING MEANS INCLUDINGSTRIPPING FINGER MEANS MOUNTED FOR TO AND FRO LONGITUDINAL TRAVELRELATIVE TO THE STACK AND IN AND OUT LATERAL SHIFTING TO ENGAGE OR AVOIDTHE END ARTICLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE STACK, FIRST STACK RETAININGMEANS MOUNTED FOR IN AND OUT LATERAL SHIFTING TO ENGAGE OR RELEASE THEBALANCE OF THE STACK, SECOND STACK RETAINING MEANS MOUNTED FOR IN ANDOUT LATERAL SHIFTING TO ENGAGE OR RELEASE THE DISHED PORTION OF THE ENDARTICLE OF THE STACK, MECHANICAL MEANS CONNECTED TO OPERATE THROUGH ACYCLE OF MOTION INCLUDING INITIALLY SHIFTING THE FIRST STACK RETAININGMEANS LATERALLY IN TO ENGAGE THE BALANCE OF THE STACK, SHIFTING THESTRIPPING FINGER MEANS LATERALLY IN TO ENGAGE THE END ARTICLE TO BEREMOVED FROM THE STACK, SHIFTING THE SECOND STACK RETAINING MEANSLATERALLY OUT TO RELEASE THE DISHED PORTION OF THE END ARTICLE TO BEREMOVED FROM THE STACK, GENERATING LONGITUDINAL TRAVEL OF THE STRIPPINGFINGER MEANS FROM THE STACK TO REMOVE THE END ARTICLE FROM THE BALANCEOF THE STACK, SHIFTING THE STRIPPING FINGER MEANS LATERALLY OUT TOINSURE RELEASE OF THE ARTICLE REMOVED FROM THE STACK, THEN IMMEDIATELYSHIFTING THE SECOND STACK RETAINING MEANS ALTERALLY TO ITS INWARDPOSITION FOR ENGAGING THE DISHED PORTION OF A NEW END ARTICLE OF THESTACK, GENERATING LONGITUDINAL TRAVEL OF THE STRIPPING FINGER MEANS BACKTOWARD THE STACK WHILE MAINTAINING IT IN ITS LATERALLY OUTWARD POSITIONTO AVOID THE NEW END ARTICLE IN THE STACK, AND FINALLY SHIFTING THEFIRST STACK RETAINING MEANS LATERALLY OUT TO RELEASE THE BALANCE OF THESTACK AND PERMIT FORWARD LONGITUDINAL SHIFTING OF THE STACK UNTIL THEDISHED PORTION OF THE NEW END ARTICLE ENGAGES THE SECOND STACK RETAININGMEANS TO SUPPORT THE STACK.